Meter: Visit https://meter.com/itcareer to book a demo

Cybersecurity feels gatekept for a lot of beginners. If you have been studying for months, stacking certifications, and still not getting interviews, this episode is your wake-up call. Dakota (The Bearded I.T. Dad) sits down with Josh Mason, founder of Noob Village at DEF CON, to break down what actually gets you hired in cybersecurity. Spoiler: it is not another certification. It is proof. We talk about why entry-level cyber roles are tough to land, how to stand out when job listings demand experience, and the hacker mindset that helps you build your own path into the industry.

We also get into what Noob Village is and why it exists as the beginner on-ramp at DEF CON. Josh shares practical next steps you can start today, including KC7Cyber (a free incident response training game) and how to turn what you learn into proof: write-ups, lab walkthroughs, GitHub notes, and LinkedIn posts that hiring managers can actually evaluate.

Josh Mason:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshuacmason/
Josh's Book (Cybersecurity Beginner's Guide): https://amzn.to/40Egv9R
Noob Village: https://www.noobvillage.org/

Exclusive Career Resources
✅ Weekly Insider Tips: https://thebeardeditdad.ck.page/55f710292b
🎧 Listen to The I.T. Career Podcast HERE:
➡︎ YT: https://itdad.info/ytpodcast
➡︎ Apple: https://apple.co/4aw0uVM
➡︎ Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3yBcrfu

Disclaimer: Some of these links are affiliate links where I'll earn a small commission if you make a purchase at no additional cost to you.

#hacking #cybersecurity #careeradvice

Learn how Itential is bringing AI into network automation the right way — with governance, visibility, and control.
https://bit.ly/itential-overview

If you're collecting certifications but not landing interviews, you might be caught in the "Cert Trap."

In this episode, we break down why certifications are valuable for career progression — but don’t always prove you can actually do the job.

A good career strategy requires balance: certifications + practical skills + proof of job readiness. If you want to succeed in today’s tech job market, you need all three.

🔗 Don’t wait — start your tech career journey here:
https://thebeardeditdad.com/itcareeraccelerator/

Exclusive Career Resources

✅ Weekly Insider Tips:
https://thebeardeditdad.ck.page/55f710292b

🎧 Listen to The I.T. Career Podcast:
➡︎ YouTube: https://itdad.info/ytpodcast
➡︎ Apple: https://apple.co/4aw0uVM
➡︎ Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3yBcrfu

Disclaimer: Some of these links are affiliate links where I may earn a small commission if you make a purchase at no additional cost to you.

#certification #cybersecurity #careeradvice

Start the FREE I.T. Introduction Course with CourseCareers Now:
https://coursecareers.com/a/thebeardeditdad?course=it

Are you stuck in a career you hate and wondering if it’s too late to switch into tech?

In this episode, Brian shares how he left a 10-year career in education, took a pay cut, and broke into IT in his 30s, without a traditional tech background.

If you’re burned out, unhappy at work, or questioning whether you can realistically transition into IT, this conversation will show you what that pivot actually looks like. We talk about the doubts, the late-night studying, building hands-on skills with projects like a Raspberry Pi, landing a Tier 1 help desk role, and what really helped him stand out with no prior experience.

This isn’t a “get rich quick” tech story.
It’s a real one.

Whether you’re considering a career change into IT, help desk, cybersecurity, or just trying to figure out your first step into tech, this episode will give you clarity and momentum.

Don’t wait—click here to start your tech career journey:
https://thebeardeditdad.com/itcareeraccelerator/

Exclusive Career Resources
✅ Weekly Insider Tips: https://thebeardeditdad.ck.page/55f710292b
🎧 Listen to The I.T. Career Podcast HERE:
➡︎ YT: https://itdad.info/ytpodcast
➡︎ Apple: https://apple.co/4aw0uVM
➡︎ Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3yBcrfu

Disclaimer: Some of these links are affiliate links where I'll earn a small commission if you make a purchase at no additional cost to you.

Hashtags: #careerchange #informationtechnology #cybersecurity